78’ LTD II A/C

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   Hello, I’m looking for a little help with the a/c system on my 1978 LTD II. I got the car from my grandfather and he had taken off the a/c to swap the engine. I’ve been using the car a lot in the summers and would like to put the a/c back on, but I’m unsure what parts I’m missing. I have the compressor and its brackets, the black box that hangs off the firewall and the condenser is still on the front of the radiator. I don’t know what else is supposed to be here other than hoses, and I don’t know where to get those. If someone has a diagram for the a/c system and maybe a link to parts I would really appreciate it. 

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BrendenKH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Probationary Member Joined: 14-July-2025 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote BrendenKH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 78’ LTD II A/C Posted: 14-July-2025 at 11:50AM
	Hello, I’m looking for a little help with the a/c system on my 1978 LTD II. I got the car from my grandfather and he had taken off the a/c to swap the engine. I’ve been using the car a lot in the summers and would like to put the a/c back on, but I’m unsure what parts I’m missing. I have the compressor and its brackets, the black box that hangs off the firewall and the condenser is still on the front of the radiator. I don’t know what else is supposed to be here other than hoses, and I don’t know where to get those. If someone has a diagram for the a/c system and maybe a link to parts I would really appreciate it.

peter.jenerette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-February-2023 Location: Nevada, TX Status: Offline Points: 1054	Post Options Post Reply Quote peter.jenerette Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18-July-2025 at 12:40AM
	I got a hose kit from AutoAC Solutions. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/1961-1962-1963-1964-1965-1966-1967-1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1977-0978-1979-ford-gran-torino-fairlane-falcon-galaxie-ltd-maverick-pinto-ranchero-thunderbird-torino-a-c-under-hood-upgrade-package/ (Link is to their full conversion kit, but you can search for components). Sometimes you can have hoses custom made at a local hydraulic shop. This usually works by you purchasing the hose and fittings, take it home and mock them up (cut hoses, push on fittings and rotate if needed to the proper location, then return to the hydraulic shop and they will crimp them for you. Some parts places will do the same, our local O'Rielly's will do AC hoses. Parts wise, I would think you need the housing, compressor, TEV, Hose TEV to condensor, POA (big valve like think by the box), Hose POA to Compressor (Low side), Hose Compressor to Receiver/Drier (high side). You can see 90% of the AC components in our cars in an engine bay photo. You may need to verify you have all the correct pulleys on your engine for an AC car. Your challenge will be refrigerant, your car is designed for R12, which means factory components are optimized for R12. You cannot easily get R12 and many convert to R134A, which may have its challenges. The kit above is a full R134A kit. Search these forums and threads, there is quite a bit of write ups for AC systems. Good luck!
	Pete Jenerette 1972 Gran Torino (H-Code - 4R70W) 2022 F250 XLT 7.3 2003 Thunderbird